Hark! the Herald

Friday, December 14th, 2018

Hark! the Herald

Friday, December 14th, 2018

Thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas Concert last night!

Important Dates and Reminders

On Monday 12/17 and Tuesday 12/18, K-3 Field Trip to local Nativity Scene Display

Our Kindergarten thru Grade 3 students will get to visit Shirley Squires, a local parishioner, to enjoy her collection of 1,400 Nativity scenes on display throughout her home. She has often been featured in local newspapers and television. Each year, Mrs. Squires joyfully welcomes our students to come enjoy her collection. Make sure to ask your children about it.

Friday, December 21st: Early Release at 12:00 Noon. NO Aftercare.

Christmas Break begins and runs thru Tuesday, January 1st.

Classes resume on Wednesday, January 2nd.

Please Spread the Word: The Gift of Catholic Education is Now Available

Do you know a family who has been considering Saint Michael School?

Perhaps a family whose children are unchallenged, struggling, or frustrated in their current school environment?

Each year, we have welcomed wonderful new families here at Saint Michael School mid-year as part of our Gift of Catholic Education. We are again offering this program to allow families to experience Saint Michael School for the rest of the year and we would love for you to spread the word!

INCENTIVE: If you refer a family, and they enroll for the remainder of the 2018/2019 school year, we will waive your enrollment fee of $175 towards next year's enrollment period!

Our basketball season is off to a great start!

It was a very close game right to the finish when Putney School played St. Michael High School in basketball Tuesday afternoon in Putney. Thomas Duchaney was top scorer for St. Michael's with 12 points and Jacob Christi was a close second with 10 points. Top scorer for Putney was Ibrahim with 10 and Nayderson was second with four points. Although Putney was ahead most of the game, St. Michael's ultimately won the game 26 to 30. Saint Michael School is coached by Mike Tatro and Putney's coach is Seth Landman.

-Thank you to Mrs. Karlie Borst for providing the above game highlights for the week!

Mark your calendars.... GO SAINTS!

Our Basketball Team Needs Your Help!

We are still in DESPERATE need of someone to run the scoreboard for home games, and we need a few people willing to be bookkeepers for both home and away games.

It is not difficult and we will train you.

PLEASE if you are planning to be at the game anyway, this gives you the best seat in the house! And it will count towards your commitment hours. Either a student or a parent can do it.

*St. Michael School really relies on parent volunteers to keep these extra curricular programs available to our kids. Please consider helping out with this.*

Please come out and support our team if you are free

Here is the schedule for the season:

12/5 4:00 Berkshire Art & Tech @ Winston Prouty

209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT

12/11 3:30 Putney School @ Putney School

418 Houghton Brook Rd Putney, VT

12/12 4:00 Greenwood School @ Winston Prouty

209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT

12/19 3:00 Dublin School @ Dublin

18 Lehmann Way Dublin , NH

1/3 4:00 White Oak Charter School @ White Oak

533 N Road Westfield, MA

1/8 3:30 Putney School @ Winston Prouty

209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT

1/9 3:30 Compass School@ Winston Prouty

209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT

1/10 4:00 Eagle Hill School @ Eagle Hill

Sessions Road Hardwick, MA

1/16 4:00 Dublin School @ Winston Prouty

209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT

1/22 4:00 Berkshire Art & Tech @ Berkshire Art & Tech

375 Church Street North Adams, MA

1/24 4:00 Four Rivers Charter School @ Indoor Action Sports

1385 Bernardston Road (Rt 5)Greenfield, MA

1/29 4:00 White Oak Charter School @ Winston Prouty

209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT

1/31 4:00 Greenwood School @ Greenwood School

14 Greenwood Lane Putney, VT

2/5 3:30 Compass School @ Winston Prouty

209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT

Project Feed the Thousands

Hi, my name is Rodney Duteau, I am a high school senior at Saint Michael Catholic School. I encourage many of you to participate in ‘Project Feed the Thousands’ this Advent season. Project Feed the Thousands is a movement that believes in giving food to both homeless and low-income people. As Christians, good Samaritans, and just ordinary people we are obligated to help those who are in need, so please between now and December 21st, if you are able, bring non-perishable food to Saint Michael Catholic School’s office and from there we will give that food to those who need it the most.

Thank you and God bless.

Rodney Duteau

Results from this week:

We received a generous donation of $100 this week towards the drive!!

Thank you to our Project Feed Angel!

Team 1 (students in grades 4-12) brought in 148.1 lbs, bringing their total to 182.6

Team 2 (PreK thru Grade 3) brought in 66.4 lbs, bringing their total to 108.5

Saint Michael School has a long history of community service and compassion. Project Feed the Thousands is a part of our legacy of kindness. Please help us make this year the most successful campaign yet!

Please Come to Our Great Books Social!

The newly formed SMS Great Books Group, an adult enrichment opportunity for St. Michael’s parishioners, SMS parents, faculty, alumni and benefactors, will conduct an inaugural social on Tuesday, December 18, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Participants will have a chance to meet one another, discuss reading interests, hear the plans for the winter reading term, and enjoy some warm refreshments.

In addition, GBG participants will discuss a thought provoking short story by Walter van Tilburg Clark, as a prelude to the groups kick-off meeting on January 15, 2019. Copies of Clark’s short masterpiece, The Portable Phonograph are available online here: http://www.mscruz.yolasite.com/resources/The%20Portable%20Phonograph.pdf or hard copies are available - at no cost - from the St. Michael School business office. Come join us!

A Huge Thank You to Wonder Crew and Play Monster LLC.

Earlier this year, I reached out to the owner and visionary at Wonder Crew to see if they would consider making a donation to our Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms. Founded by Laurel Wider, a psychotherapist and a mom, Wonder Crew was created with the aim to broaden the definition of boyhood and encourage kids to be their full selves.

Studies show that strong relationships and the ability to connect emotionally are key to happiness, health and even career success. Yet toys that encourage friendship and empathy are largely marketed to girls - sending the message to many boys that this kind of play is not for them. Until now...

Included with each doll is a child-sized matching-piece of adventure gear. When children suit up along side their buddy, this not only adds to the crew-like vibe, but also deepens the imaginative play experience. Play Monster generously sent us several dolls, some fun changes of clothing, and masks and capes for all the children.

To see more photos, and a sweet post on the WonderCrew blog about our students, check out the link:

Community Events

This holiday season, every time you make an eligible purchase, AmazonSmile donates to Saint Michael Parish Charitable Trust. Please bookmark this link. Thank you so much for your support!

Adult Choir

The St. Michael Parish Adult Choir will sing at Midnight Mass.

Rehearsals will be on December 6th and 20th from 6-8PM in the church. All are welcome!

Please call the rectory if you have any questions: 802-257-5101

PIANO AND ORGAN LESSONS NOW AVAILABLE

Hi! I'm Breton Abbondanzio, the new Music Director at St. Michael Parish and I'm pleased to offer private lessons in piano and organ. I teach all ages and levels and some of my students have won prizes in the ATAM Music Competition in Newton, MA. Lessons are a half hour in duration and my fee is reasonable and competitive. Please give me a call at (413) 824-9881 or email me at babbondanzio@gmail.com. I look forward to teaching your child!